. >> the republicans spoke just a minute ago, john boehner saying his fellow republicans do in fact, as we watch the president work the room ahead of his remarks, they do back his opposition to raising rates outright. this chatter that the coalition is fraying, how complicating is that? the question is whether it frays enough to caught a fundamental shift in strategy. i think at the end of the dahl the republicans will give on higher rates. the question is when? does 2 happen before december 31st? in which case republicans and conservatives would argue republicans are agreeing to a tax increase. does it happen after january 1st when rates will have already risen? and if they cut them to 37% top rate, then republicans could say, hey, we just cut taxes. that's really the question. the president has made an argument that it is not practical to get all the money he wants from merely closing loopholes and deductions. he's said different things in the past. he's acknowledged significant amounts of money can be raised through closing loopholes. can you get it done quickly? by the end of the